Asphalt rolling and packing machine

ABSTRACT

An asphalt-rolling and packing machine having a frame upon which a gasoline motor is mounted for propelling a plurality of transverse elongated longitudinally spaced rollers for packing asphalt and the like. A handle is pivotally connected to the frame of the machine intermediate the front and rear portions thereof, for presenting a more nearly balanced load when lifting the machine thereby. An attachment means is carried on the other end of the handle and is adapted to be connected to the tailgate of the body of the dump truck when such is in an unloading or tilted position so that when the body is lowered to the horizontal position the machine is lifted off the ground for transporting such. An upwardly extending cam is carried on the rear portion of the frame for positioning the machine in spaced relation from the truck. A vibrating member is carried by the frame for vibrating the entire frame of the machine during the rolling and packing operation for minimizing the possibility of disengagement of the drive chain.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Bennett E, Mauldin 3,439,594 4/1969 Cowley et al. 94/50 gggb Travelers Rest Primary Examiner-Jacob L. Nackenoff 3 At: B 'l d D 't John ii. Mauldin, 1606 N. Main St., omey ey (m y Greenville, S.C. 29609 [21] Appl. No. 733,195 [22] Filed May 29,1968 ABSTRACT, An as v 1 phalt-rolling and packing machine having [45] Patented 1971 a frame upon which a gasoline motor is mounted for propelling a plurality of transverse elongated longitudinally ASPHALT ROLLING AND PACKING MACHINE spaced rollers for packing asphalt and the like. A handle is pivotally connected to the frame of the machine intermediate 2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

i the front and rear portions thereof, for presenting a more CL nearly balanced load when lifting the machine thereby. An atf Eolc 19/28 tachment means is carried on the other end of the handle and Field Of Search 94/44, 46, is adapted to be connected [Q the tailgate of the body of the 50, 48 dump truck when such is in an unloading or tilted position so that when the body is lowered to the horizontal position the [56] References cued machine is lifted off the ground for transporting such. An up- UNITED STATES PATENTS wardly extending cam is carried on the rear portion of the 3,038,349 6/1962 Meyer 94/50X frame for positioning the machine in spaced relation from the 3,048,089 8/1962 Kaltenegger. 94/50 truck. A vibrating member is carried by the frame for vibrat- 3,208,359 8/1965 Odell 94/44 ing the entire frame of the machine during the rolling and 3,213,769 10/ 1965 Smith 94/46 packing operation for minimizing the possibility of disengage- 3,426,660 2/1969 Scott 94/50 ment of the drive chain.

PATENTED'JANI 21am SHEET 1 [IF 2 I N NI. m A mmm man TN A N md m 6 m B truck or the like,'by hangin g thcrefrom.

1 ASPHALT ROLLING AND PACK NG MACHINE This invention relates to a machine for rolling and packing asphalt and the like, and more-particularly to a machine capable of being transported by the tailgate of a dump truck. During the rollingand packing operationthelmachineis vibrated.

Machines capable of packing. asphalt and the like. are known. l-lotvever, one of thedisadvant ages'of such isthat they are. frequently fextremelyheavy, creating a problem of transporting such from one siteto another. v

' During the rolling and packing of. asphalt it isdesir ed that the rollers be vibrated relative to, the asphalt. in order to produce a -more,effeetivecpaeking operation, ,Heretofore, machines suchas illustrated in; U. S Pat. No, 1,615,052, granted to Stubbs on, Jan. I 18, 1927, and US. Pat. No. 2,954,726, granted to Kerridge on: Qct..4, 1960, vibratedthe roller, rather than the entire machine." By vibrating the rollers relative to the. driving gear on the motor 'such' required a chain-tightening mechanism, such'asillustrated in FIG. 1 of the Kerridge patent, in ,order to prevent the, chain from jumpingoffthesprocketss a Another problem encountered inpacking devices which utilize a vibrating roller is that such would tend to bounce on sloping surfaces and is not as stable or srnooth a packing device as is the case when the entire machine vibrates.

' Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide an asphalt packing machine which produces a uniform and smooth-packing operation and can be readily manipulated; I I y M I 1 1 Another important objectof the present invention is to provide a machine for packing asphaltand the likeiwherein, the entire machine isvibrated thus minimizing thedisengageinent of the drive linkage utilized thereon, and forzproducing a more stable machine on sloping surfaces. i

Still another importantobject of theprese'nt invention is to provide a machine capable of packing asphalt and the like, which, canbe readily transported on the ilgate of the dump The construction designed to carry out the invention will'be hereinafterdescribed, together with other features thereof.

. The invention will be more readilyunderstood from a reading of the following specification, and by reference to -the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, whereinan example of the. invention is shown and wherein;

- FIG. 1 is a perspective'- view. illustrating a machine for packing asphalt and thelike, constructed in accordance with the present invention; a

FIG. 3'is a sectional elevationtake'n on the line"33 of FIG. z .H I:

FIG. 4' is a perspective .view. illustrating the vibrating mechanism carried in the machine. I I

The drawings illustrate a machine for rolling and packing asphalt and thelike, which includes a'frarne A upon which a plurality of transverse elongated longitudinally spaced rollers B are rotatably mounted. A motorC is carried on the frame and has an output drive shaft which is coupled to the rollers for driving such. A handle D isfpivotallyconnected by one end to the frame so'that such can beplaced in a rearwardly inclined position during the packing operation. The handle can be locked in a fixed position relative to the frame so that the machine can be transported thereby. An attachment E is carried on the other end of the handle, and is adapted to be connected to the tailgate of the body of a dump truck when such is in an unloading position so that when the body is lowered to the horizontal position so that when the the The frame A for the machine is rectangular in shape and includes vertical side plates 10 and 11, which are joined by a front and rear vertical plate 12 and 13, respectively.

Horizontal channel-shaped braces 14 extend between the sidewalls 10 and 11, and are secured thereto, by any suitable drive'sprocket 17 mounted on one end thereof, on the outer side of the side plate 10. Actually, the shaft 16 extends through bearings fixed onto the sidewalls so-that the shaft can rotate, but is not allowed to move otherwise. The rollers have a smooth surface and are constructed of any suitable material, such as hardened steel, so that when such are rolled over asphalt and the like, they tend to smooth it out.

The machine is powered by a conventional gasoline motor C which has a pair of pulleys 18 fixed on its output drive shaft 19. A pair of belts 20 extend between the pulleys 18 and a larger pair of pulleys 21 carried on a shaft 22 which forms part of the vibrating member G.

machine is lifted off the ground for transporting such. A pair inf upwardly extending cam means F are carried on the rear portion of the frame A for positioning the machine in spaced relation from the truck when being raised and transported it thereby. The pivotal connection ofthe handle to the frame is i? intermediate the cam means F and the front of the frame for presenting a more nearly balanced load upon lifting. A vibrat- Ei ing memberG is carried by the frame for vibrating the entire machine during therollingand packing operation.

The-shaft 22 is joumaled between a pair of brackets 23 .which are, in turn, mounted on the sidewall 24 of a protective housingwhich encloses the vibrating'member G and the movingmechanism adjacent the end of the motor C. The protective housing includes a top 25 which joins the sidewalls 24, all of which are welded to a rectangular-shaped water tank 26,

which is carried on the frame A. The top 25 extends outwardly over the apparatus carried on the shaft 22. and then extends vertically up over the working mechanism of the motor C and is, welded by means of the vertical sidewall 27 to one of the braces 14.

The bottom of the bracket 23 is pivotally connected to the sidewallas by means of a bolt 28, whereas, the top portion of the bracket 23 is attached to the sidewall 24 by means of a bolt 29 extending through an arcuate-shaped slot 30. By adjusting the position of the bolt 29 within the slot 30 the brackets 23 can be pivoted so as to adjust the tension in belts coupled to the shaft 22.

A pair of elliptical-shaped weights 31. are eccentrically mounted on the shaft 22 so that when the'shaft is rotated by activating the motor C such imparts vibration to the entire machine. This vibration aids in packing the asphalt surface which is being rolled.

A pair of pulleys 32 are mounted on the shaft 22 in a fixed relation thereto, and a pair of belts 33 extend therefrom to a pair of larger pulleys 34 carried on an input shaft of a conventional drive gear box 35. One suitable gear box is referred to as a reversible transmission drive.

The drive gear box 35 acts as a reduction gear by reducing the R.P.M.s imparted to the input pulley 34 to a suitable speed on the output shaft36, which drives a chain 37 by means of the sprocket 38. The direction of rotation of the output shaft 36 of the drive gear box 35 can be reversed by pulling the handle 39 rearwardly which, in turn, moves the lever 40 rearwardly. In order to propel the machine in the forward direction the handle 39 is pushed forward. It is noted that the handle 39 is slideably threaded through a supporting bracket 41 carried on the handle D. The drive gear box 35 is suitably mounted on a channel-shaped member 42 which is fixed to the cross braces 14 by any suitable means, such as by bolting, so as to maintain the output shaft 36 of the drive gear box 35 in a fixed relation with the sprocket 17 carried on the drums. This is to minimize the disengagement of the chain 37 from the sprockets as the machine is vibrated. Heretofore, in machines in which the rollers were vibrated relative to the frame of the machine many of the devices required a chain tensioning mechanism which maintained the chain tort at all times during the vibration to preventsuch from jumping off the sprockets.

The water tank 26 is carried adjacent the rear of the frame A and feeds water through the valve 43, the conduit 44 into an elongated pipe 45, which has holes therein, for allowing the water to drip on the cleaning mats 46. The mats 46 are provided for removing any asphalt that may be picked up by the rollers B during the rolling operation. Mats are suitably mounted within a bracket 47 which is mounted on the sidewalls and 11, respectively, of the frame of the machine. It is noted that the brackets have a substantially vertical scraper blade 48 mounted thereon, which engages the roller for scraping any rocks or asphalt from the roller during the packing and rolling operation. A cap 26a is carried on the water tank 26 for providing a means for filling the tank when removed.

One problem encountered in machines provided for rolling and packing surfaces is in transporting such. Normally, these machines are transported on a flat bed truck or trailer from site to site. Frequently, when the machine is being used in patching asphalt roads a flat bed truck or trailer is not available or convenient, and the only vehicle present is a dump truck in which the asphalt is carried. Since usually there is asphalt and other implements in the dump truck, it is desirable to be able to hang the machine from the tailgate of the truck. The machine weighs approximately 800 pounds, and it is not convenient to lift such up onto the tailgate or body of the truck.

To facilitate lifting of the machine the handle D for the machine includes a pair of laterally spaced tubular members 49 which have their lower end pivotally secured by a bolt 50 between a pair of vertical standards 51. At least one pair of the standards 51 has an additional aperture for receiving a pin 52 which extends therethrough, and a complementary hole in the base of the tubular member 49 for locking such in a vertical position as shown in FIG. 3. The handle D also has an upper portion 53 which is in telescopic relationship with the tubular member 49 so that the height of the handle can be adjusted by positioning a bolt 54 in a desired hole 54a in the upper portion 53 of the handle.

An attachment means E is carried on the other end of the handle and is adapted to fit over the tailgate of the body of the dump truck when such is in an unloading position so that when the body is lowered to the horizontal position the machine is lifted off the ground for transporting such. The attachment includes a hook-shaped portion 56 which extends over the top of the tailgate of the dump truck. It is noted that the pivotal connection of the lower end of the handle is intermediate the front and rear of the frame so as to present a more nearly balanced load when lifting the machine with the tailgate of the dump truck. in some instances when the handle is pivotally connected adjacent the rear of the machine the leverage action produced by the machine prevents the body of the dump truck from being lowered to the horizontal position to cause the machine to be lifted off the ground. However, when the pivotal connection is intermediate the front and rear of the frame such adverse weight distribution problem is minimized. A cross brace 57 is also carried between the tubular members 49 to strengthen such.

A pair of upwardly extending bracket means F are carried on the rear portion of the frame for holding the machine in spaced relation from the truck when being raised and transported thereby. The bracket members F are secured to the rear plate 13 of the frame and extends upwardly over the water tank 26. Such protects the machine from being damaged by swinging up under the body of the dump truck during the lifting and transporting operation.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

lclaim:

1. A machine for rolling and packing asphalt and the like comprising: a frame defining a front and rear portion; a plurality of transverse elongated longitudinally spaced rollers rotatably mounted on said frame; a motor carried on said frame having an output drive shaft; means for coupling said drive shaft of said motor to said elongated rollers for propelling said machine responsive to activation of said motor; a rigid elongated handle being comprised of two free ends pivotally connected to said frame so that such can be placed in a rearwardly inclined position during the packing operation; means for locking said handle in a fixed substantially vertical position relative to said frame so that said machine can be transported thereby; attachment means carried on the other end of said handle adapted to be connected to the tailgate of the body of a dump truck when such is in an unloading position so that when the body is lowered to the horizontal position said machine is lifted off the ground for transporting such; spaced upwardly extending bracket means carried on the rear portion of said frame for positioning said machine in spaced relation from said truck and protecting the same against damage when the attachment means are engaged by the tailgate; said pivotal connection of said one end of said handle being on the frame of said machine intermediate said bracket means and the front portion of said frame for presenting a more nearly balanced load upon lifting, said locking means including two pairs of upstanding members secured to the frame, means pivotally disposing one of said free ends on one of said upstanding members respectively, cooperating openings provided in at least one of said pairs of upstanding members and in the free end of the handle associated therewith, and a locking pin adapted to be received in the cooperating openings for maintaining the handle in said substantially vertical position.

2. The machine of claim 1 further including drive sprockets mounted on said rollers; a vibrating member carried by said frame, said vibrating member including a weight eccentrically carried on a shaft; said shaft being rotatably mounted on said frame and spaced form said output shaft, means coupled to said drive shaft of said motor for rotating said shaft responsive to activation of said motor causing vibrations to be imparted to said frame; a drive gear box having an input shaft and an output shaft provided for rotation and mounted in a fixed position on said frame; means for coupling said input shaft of said drive gear box to said output drive shaft of said motor; a linkage coupling said output shaft of said drive gear box to said sprockets carried on said rollers for driving said rollers responsive to activation of said motor; and said output shaft of said drive gear box being fixed against vertical movement relative to said sprockets carried on said rollers for minimizing disengagement of said linkage as a result of vibrating said frame during the packing and rolling operation. 

1. A machine for rolling and packing asphalt and the like comprising: a frame defining a front and rear portion; a plurality of transverse elongated longitudinally spaced rollers rotatably mounted on said frame; a motor carried on said frame having an output drive shaft; means for coupling said drive shaft of said motor to said elongated rollers for propelling said machine responsive to activation of said motor; a rigid elongated handle being comprised of two free ends pivotally connected to said frame so that such can be placed in a rearwardly inclined position during the packing operation; means for locking said handle in a fixed substantially vertical position relative to said frame so that said machine can be transported thereby; attachment means carried on the other end of said handle adapted to be connected to the tailgate of the body of a dump truck when such is in an unloading position so that when the body is lowered to the horizontal position said machine is lifted off the ground for transporting such; spaced upwardly extending bracket means carried on the rear portion of said frame for positioning said machine in spaced relation from said truck and protecting the same against damage when the attachment means are engaged by the tailgate; said pivotal connection of said one end of said handle being on the frame of said machine intermediate said bracket means and the front portion of said frame for presenting a more nearly balanced load upon lifting, said locking means including two pairs of upstanding members secured to the frame, means pivotally disposing one of said free ends on one of said upstanding members respectively, cooperating openings provided in at least one of said pairs of upstanding members and in the free end of the handle associated therewith, and a locking pin adapted to be received in the cooperating openings for maintaining the handle in said substantially vertical position.
 2. The machine of claim 1 further including drive sprockets mounted on said rollers; a vibrating member carried by said frame, said vibrating member including a weight eccentrically carried on a shaft; said shaft being rotatably mounted on said frame and spaced form said output shaft, means coupled to said drive shaft of said motor for rotating said shaft responsive to activation of said motor causing vibrations to be imparted to said frame; a drive gear box having an input shaft and an output shaft provided for rotation and mounted in a fixed position on said frame; means for coupling said input shaft of said drive gear box to said output drive shaft of said motor; a linkage coupling said output shaft of said drive gear box to said sprockets carried on said rollers for driving said rollers responsive to activation of said motor; and said output shaft of said drive gear box being fixed against vertical movement relative to said sprockets carried on said rollers for minimizing disengagement of said linkage as a result of vibrating said frame during the packing and rolling operation. 